How Does Tesla FSDS Compare with Commercial Airliner Autopilot? - CleanTechnica

The article discusses Tesla’s Full Self Driving Supervised (FSDS) system in comparison to commercial airliner autopilot, drawing on insights from David Nye, a seasoned pilot with nearly 30,000 hours of autopilot monitoring experience and a long career flying various Boeing aircraft for Qantas. Nye highlights that just as commercial pilots primarily monitor autopilot systems rather than manually flying for extended periods, future drivers will similarly oversee automated driving systems that can operate more reliably and without human limitations such as fatigue or distraction. He emphasizes that autopilot technology in aviation has evolved to handle most phases of flight, reducing pilot workload and increasing safety, though pilots must retain manual flying skills for emergencies. Nye also shares personal anecdotes about the challenges of hand-flying long routes before autopilot systems were fully reliable, underscoring the fatigue and difficulty involved. He notes that while autopilot is now standard and essential in commercial aviation, there are concerns about pilots losing manual flying proficiency, which can be critical in unusual situations.